CHAPTER 4: THE ATTACK

It's been 6 months. 6 months of intense healing and self awareness. The small shop had a name sign - GRAY'S POTTERY. Painted with the colour attached with purity, customers waltzed in and out. All her life, if she wasn't cutting out new fabrics and making sketches to be put on display, she was dabbling in clays, making beautiful vases in the compound.

A tall slender man made his way into her shop. His sunglasses are like that of a trained hitman. Tall and old enough to be her father. He looked around: “life's really better here than the city?”

“It's awesome,” Nadia responded without turning, smiling. The voice gave him away. It was one that she had been used to all her life. Her long Auburn hair styled into a fringe. “I get to live life the way I want, no one knows who I am.”

“I'm proud of you kiddo,” he embraced her, poking her forehead.

“I missed you too Marcus,” her arms went tightly against his body. He was the closest thing she had to a father now. “I'm surprised to see you. What's happening back at home?”

He snickered, finding a place to rest his body. “Are you saying I can't visit you on my own accord?”

A short laugh followed from her. “I know you too well. Remember the days if I wasn't with my father, my days were spent with you. So tell me, what's happening?”

He sighed. “Richard, the CEO, has been pressuring the board to transfer ownership of the company to him. And if he persists a little longer, I'm afraid they will have no choice but to do that.”

It was indeed a serious thing. Marcus never shows up without something drastic going on. “How are you helping me out with the situation?”

“I've assumed the position for now and told them until your body is found before that can happen. So, for the meantime, I think everything is under control.”

“And no one's asking for your head in return?”

“Oh trust me, a lot are,” he laughed. “If looks and whispers and ill thoughts could kill, I'd be long dead by now.”

A warm smile filled her face, grateful that at least one person was still on her side. “Thank you so much.”

“It's nothing kiddo. I'm always here for you.”

She sat to continue her current piece. Marcus cleared his throat, gaining her attention once more. “Is there something else still left in your mouth to say?”

“It's about Asha, he's mi–”

Her hand went up, silencing him almost immediately. Face hardened, a piece left still rolling on the wheel; she balled her fist, ramming it into the rolling clay piece almost turned into a vase. “I'm done with him. Do not mention his name wherever I am.”

“Try and listen to me Nadia,” he tried to persuade her but she wasn't having it.

She stood up, wiping her hand clean and walking away from his vicinity. Like a flea, he followed her.

“Nadia Gray,” he called out.

“I have no business with Asha anymore, we are divorced,” she screamed, tears streaming down her face as each word left her mouth. As the memory of her last days in his home crashed in her head. “Asha wanted to, wanted to…”

She fell to the floor, remembering how much she had been betrayed by someone she spent her entire life loving. By someone who gave her his late mother's ring as a sign of his forever undying love yet couldn't remember her.

“He needs you Nadia,” Marcus calmly said, holding her in his arms. “Life without you has been brutal for him, life has no meaning for him without you in it. You can call him a walking dead because that is exactly what he is. He refuses to believe you are dead.”

“To him, I am,” she stood up, wiping her tears away as she remembered that she swore never to cry for him again. “And whatever he is feeling now, he deserves it.”

Marcus stood up, ending the entire conversation, seeing that it wasn't going to lead anywhere. Nadia wasn't a stubborn person but once her mind was made up, there was nothing else to change it. “I'll have to be on my way back. It's a long ride home and I wouldn't want to get in at the smallest hour.”

“I understand,” she hugged him. “Keep me posted.”

She watched as he got into his car, driving away. The last conversation still ringing in her head. If there was anything, she was grateful for having him in her life. Her heart was content with the news she heard, except the fact that he was miserable. Inasmuch as he deserved it, she wasn't a terrible person to wish him pain. The fake death was the only way she could free herself for the time being. If not, the Asha she knew would burn down the entire world to find her if he knew she still lived. Her fake death only kept him at bay.

It was time for her to lock up. Her ringing phone jolted her out of her thoughts. It was Marcus.

“Hello,” she said into the phone, smiling. “It's barely 2 hours since you left here. Miss me already?”

“Nadia,” his voice, strained. “I don't know if I can make it home but listen to me carefully. You need to come back to assume your father's position. As soon as possible.”

“What do you–”

The somersaulting of Marcus’ car had her screamed, ruining her nearby pieces. “MARCUS. MARCUS, TALK TO ME, ARE YOU OKAY?”

“Ki-ddo, g..o ho…me,” blood spluttered from his mouth. All these she heard on the other end. “You have to come back home.”

The car door yanked open, as she listened quietly. He tossed the phone to the other side, still giving Nadia the opportunity to listen in.

“Marcus Chen, kiss death for me when you meet him in hell,” the attacker said. Multiple shots rang and Nadia froze at the spot. Whoever that was, was after her father's properties as well. Now, the burning question was who?